The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the Public Complaints Commission (PCC) have pledged to strengthen inter-agency collaboration to combat counterfeit, falsified and substandard regulated products in Nigeria.
The commitment was made on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, when the Chief Commissioner of the PCC, Hon. Bashir Abubakar, led a delegation of the Commission on a courtesy visit to NAFDAC’s headquarters in Abuja.
Receiving the delegation, NAFDAC Director-General, Prof. Mojisola Christianah Adeyeye, commended Abubakar for his contribution to the fight against illicit drugs, recalling that he received the NAFDAC Integrity Award in 2018 after providing intelligence that helped authorities intercept 41 containers of tramadol at a Nigerian port.
Adeyeye said the incident demonstrated the importance of intelligence sharing and collaboration among government agencies in protecting public health and strengthening regulatory enforcement.
She listed the Nigeria Customs Service, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, National Orientation Agency, Pharmacists Council of Nigeria and Nigeria Police Force among institutions with which NAFDAC collaborates to prevent the importation, distribution and circulation of counterfeit medicines and other substandard products.
The NAFDAC boss reiterated the agency’s commitment to ensuring that regulated products available in Nigeria are safe, wholesome, efficacious and compliant with national and international standards.
Adeyeye also disclosed that NAFDAC is working towards achieving World Health Organization (WHO) Maturity Level 4, after attaining Maturity Level 3 following the closure of identified regulatory gaps under the WHO Global Benchmarking framework.
She explained that improved regulatory maturity would enhance the international acceptance of products manufactured and approved in Nigeria, while effective regulation would also support local manufacturing, facilitate international trade and create employment opportunities.
“We are not there yet, but we are compliant,” Adeyeye said, stressing that NAFDAC’s mandate extends beyond public health protection to supporting the country’s economic development.
In his remarks, the PCC Chief Commissioner said the delegation visited NAFDAC to commend the agency for its efforts in tackling counterfeit medicines and unwholesome products.
Abubakar explained that the PCC, as Nigeria’s Ombudsman institution, receives complaints from members of the public and stakeholders across various sectors and refers matters outside its mandate to appropriate authorities.
He also commended Adeyeye for her public enlightenment and media engagement efforts, describing sustained communication as important to improving citizens’ understanding of NAFDAC’s regulatory responsibilities.
The PCC chief called for broader collaboration between NAFDAC and agencies including the Corporate Affairs Commission, Nigeria Ports Authority, National Union of Road Transport Workers and Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
According to him, stronger cooperation among the institutions would improve intelligence gathering, monitoring and enforcement throughout the supply chain and help curb the circulation of counterfeit and substandard products.
The visit highlighted the shared commitment of NAFDAC and the PCC to regulatory compliance, stronger institutional cooperation and the protection of public health in Nigeria.